Systems and methods for a bidirectional multi-function communication module

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods are disclosed for bidirectional multifunction communication between a computing device and applications located at an external server. The bidirectional communications allows an operation to be performed on a file using a computing device and an external server. In one implementation, an application resides on a desktop computer that is connected to the Internet. The application sends a request to an external server accessible through the Internet using a bidirectional communication system. The server accepts and processes the request and provides data back to the computer via the same bidirectional communication system. A user may then access the data, manipulate it and provide an additional request to the server via the bidirectional communication system.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/333,101, filed May 10, 2010, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure generally relates to computer system applications and more particularly, to methods and systems that provide bidirectional communications with remote software through an intermediary software mini-application located on a user computing device, such as a desktop system.

BACKGROUND

The installation and use of desktop-based software programs, such as Microsoft Office®, Adobe® Acrobat®, Dreamweaver®, Autodesk® and many other document lifecycle software programs, has become commonplace in business and personal applications. While these products, referred to herein as parent programs, provide users with many useful functionalities, the potential for additional features has led to the development of third party products that enhance the capabilities of the document lifecycle software programs. These third party products were developed and designed to integrate with the parent programs to provide additional features that compliment those of the parent program and include products that compare documents, remove metadata from documents, convert an electronic document to PDF, convert a PDF document back to a word processing document or a spread sheet, edit PDF documents, assist with the numbering of documents created in word processing programs, add document identification stamps, or take screenshots of regions or selected areas of computer screens.

While these software programs allow users to perform tasks more efficiently, each desktop-installed software program demands a certain amount of computing resources. In addition, certain desktop-installed software programs may create a resource or usage conflict with other existing desktop-installed software programs. This may occur when one program attempts to integrate with another program or when two programs attempt to use the same integration point to integrate with a third program.

Further, integration of multiple products may cause a parent program to slow down during initial start-up while integrated products load. A third-party product integrated into a parent program is often referred to as an “add-in” and often results in the addition of an icon on the parent program's toolbar to activate the third-party product. These additional icons may take up valuable screen space.

A desire to access computer software products from any computer at any location has led to cloud computing as an alternative for organizations and individuals seeking new ways to manage and access multiple software programs. Also referred to as Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), cloud computing is Internet-based computing, where computers and other devices access hosted software applications in an on-demand scenario. Users log into or otherwise access a cloud computing software program through an Internet-connected interface, for example an Internet browser, and access the full resources of the cloud computing software through this Internet-connected interface.

Cloud computing frees computing resources at the user's local computing device and eliminates problems with integrating third party software applications by liberating users from the need to install the application and run it on their electronic computing device. Examples of cloud computing software include the sales management solution, SalesForce.com®, and the document management solution, NetDocuments™. These products have established robust software solutions located on external servers and are available to users through the Internet without desktop installation requirements.

Several issues with the cloud computing model have limited its full adoption. First, users accustomed to the desktop-installed software model are not yet fully comfortable with the cloud computing model, which requires visiting an Internet location to access a software program rather than simply accessing that software program directly through the user's desktop. Second, while cloud computing software programs may display results of computer processing requests, they do not always have the ability to enable further editing of those results or manipulation of preferences or settings at the cloud level. This limits a user's interactivity with such programs. Finally, requiring an Internet connection in order to access software programs for users unaccustomed to such requirements and an inability to access some or all functions of a software program in the absence of Internet connectivity may cause users to become frustrated and unwilling to adopt the cloud computing model.

A need exists for a product that allows for the advantages provided by the cloud computing model but does not remove advantages of desktop applications. Currently available products do not provide the right methodology to meet these needs.

A desktop widget is a small application located on a user's desktop. A desktop widget takes up minimal computer resources while still providing information to a user. Desktop widgets give users the ability to view discrete and pre-published information from particular data sources, located either on a computer workstation or at an external location. Desktop widgets traditionally provide unidirectional personalized information after receiving a user's predetermined preferences. For example, a weather widget asks the user to choose which city's weather they wish to view. After receiving that choice the widget is unidirectional and only brings back pre-published weather forecast information for the chosen city from an external source, such as Weather.com.

FIG. 1A is a diagram providing a prior art example of the workflow relationship associated with traditional widget applications. In FIG. 1A, user 102 receives data from widget 104 that is located on desktop computer 106. The data is delivered to the user from the external server, for example, a cloud computer software program executing on external server 108, through widget 104 installed on desktop computer 106. As shown in FIG. 1A, data is passed uni-directionally and for one specific function, starting at external server 108 and ending at user 102.

Because widgets provide a single-function and serve only a simple defined purpose, the level of interaction between a user and such a resource is limited. For example, there is no widget that can compare documents or convert a word processing document to PDF or a PDF document to a word processing document. While a user can define predetermined settings and other parameters of their relationship with the widget application, only pre-published information is pulled from an external source (e.g., a blog online, a clock residing on a computer application) and then presented to the user for viewing via the widget graphical user interface (GUI).

SUMMARY

Disclosed embodiments provide a bidirectional multi-function mini-application with the capacity to integrate local client applications and a cloud-based computer software program. This mini-application is hereby referred to as the bidirectional multi-function communication module (BMCM). The BMCM maintains distinct differences from widgets by providing bidirectional communication between (1) the user, (2) the client application, and (3) the external source. Users engage with the server by requesting processing at a detailed level through the BMCM on their desktop or other local computing device. The requests, which may include processing performing an operation on one or more files or performing one or more tasks, are then sent through the BMCM to the external server, where the processing occurs. The external server returns the resulting documents, files, requests, responses, or other outputs to the user via the BMCM or via other mechanisms of communication.

Disclosed embodiments of a BMCM solution may mirror the capability provided in desktop applications, such as comparing documents, cleaning metadata, converting documents to PDF, extracting PDF documents to word processing documents or spread sheets, or performing other capabilities. Disclosed embodiments may also provide the ability to modify preferences and settings indicating how information is processed or presented and the ability to send new documents or requirements back to the external server application for additional processing. These features may be provided without the drawbacks of having to install a desktop application, such as integration problems, upgrading software on multiple computing devices, and usage of computing device resources. In addition, disclosed embodiments may also eliminate the need for users to visit a Web site to access cloud computing functionality. A BMCM may enable users to work on their desktop computer or other computing device, with the BMCM managing all processing between the user and the cloud computing software application, including submitting and receiving data and requests.

Consistent with disclosed embodiments, a system is provided for performing an operation on a file using a local computing device and an application on an external server. The system may include a processor and a memory. The memory may include instructions that cause the processor to receive a request at the local computing device to perform an operation on a first file and to receive the first file. The memory may further include instructions that may cause the processor to format the request and the first file so that the request can be interpreted by an application on an external server. The processor may send the request and the first file to the external server. The external server may perform the operation on the first file and create a response that includes a second file. The processor may receive the response and the second file created by the external server.

Consistent with other disclosed embodiments, a method is provided for performing an operation on a file using a local computing device and an application on an external server. The method may include receiving a first file and request from the local computing device to perform an operation on the first file. The method may further include performing the operation on the first file, resulting in the creation of a second file. The method may further include sending a response that includes the second file to the local computing device.

Consistent with other disclosed embodiments, tangible computer-readable storage media may store program instructions that are executable by a processor to implement any of the methods, disclosed herein.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the disclosed embodiments, as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate several embodiments and together with the description, serve to explain the disclosed principles. In the drawings:

FIG. 1A is a diagram providing a prior art example of the workflow relationship associated with a widget application.

FIG. 1B is a diagram providing an example of a bidirectional multi-functional communication module and its multidirectional relationship with external services, consistent with certain disclosed embodiments.

FIG. 1C is a diagram providing an example of the workflow relationship associated with the bidirectional multi-functional communication module, consistent with certain disclosed embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a diagram presenting an overview of the components of a BMCM and a method by which it provides bidirectional multi-functional communication between a user and an external server, consistent with certain disclosed embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of an exemplary process by which bidirectional communication occurs between a local computing device and cloud computing software programs via the bidirectional multi-functional communication module interface, consistent with certain disclosed embodiments.

FIG. 4 is an exemplary interface for a bidirectional multi-functional communication module, consistent with disclosed embodiments.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Disclosed embodiments may enable users to manage preferences and settings for performing an operation on a file using a cloud computing software program through the BMCM, as opposed to being required to visit and log in to an Internet location. Disclosed embodiments may also provide for the transmittal of documents and other information through the BMCM to one or more cloud locations for processing and then deliver those processed documents to the user. The user may receive the processed documents either as saved files in a desktop location, via email, or as hyperlinked files. Thus, the processed documents can easily be opened and manipulated in a native desktop-based software program, including word processing programs such as Microsoft Word, spreadsheet programs such as Excel, and other programs such as PowerPoint or Adobe Acrobat. Disclosed embodiments may also provide for offline modes, in which users can access limited functionality and store processing requests within the BMCM for full processing at a later date or time when the user's electronic computing device connects with the Internet.

Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the disclosed embodiments can be modified in various respects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive. Wherever convenient, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

FIG. 1B is a diagram providing an example of a bidirectional multi-functional communication module and its multidirectional relationship with external services, consistent with disclosed embodiments. In the example of FIG. 1B, BMCM 112, located on desktop computer 114, may receive requests submitted by user 110. While FIG. 1B shows BMCM 112 installed on a desktop computer disclosed embodiments are not limited to desktop computers. BMCM 112 may be installed on other user electronic devices, such as smart phones, laptop computers, or netbook computers. The user requests may include an instruction to perform an operation on an identified file, such as a request to remove metadata from a word processing document or a request to compare two spreadsheets. BMCM 112 may send the requests, and any data or files needed to execute the request, to external servers 116. In certain embodiments BMCM 112 relies on components of external server 116 to perform the operations, resulting in a small installation footprint and on the user device. External servers 116 may be part of one subsystem or may be independent from each other. If independent from each other, external servers 116 may communicate with each other over a network, such as the Internet. External servers 116 may process the requests and send the requested data back to user 110 via BMCM 112. In some embodiments, data may be returned from external servers 116 via BMCM 112 for user 110 to access and manipulate in native software. For example, the requested data may be a cleansed version of a word processing document or a spreadsheet showing insertions and deletions and external servers 116 may provide BMCM 112 with the cleansed document or the spreadsheet. User 110 may modify or save these files once received from BMCM 112. This provides a bidirectional relationship in which data is presented and requests are made on both sides of the relationship model.

FIG. 1C is a diagram providing an example of the workflow relationship associated with the bidirectional multi-functional communication module, consistent with disclosed embodiments. FIG. 1C shows an example of the method by which BMCM 112 may send and receive multiple tasks and other processes to multiple parent applications via external servers. In this example, BMCM 112, located on a desktop computer 120, may send Task 1 (122) and Setting Change Request 1 (124) through External Server 1 (126) to Parent Application 1 (128). This parent application may be one of many, such as document comparison, metadata removal, screen capture, litigation document support, or PDF manipulation software. Parent Application 1 (128) may receive tasks and/or setting change requests, such as 122 and 124. Parent Application 1 (128) may process the tasks according to any settings requested, such as Setting Change 1 (124), and send the result, via the same communications channel, to BMCM 112 on desktop computer 120. Because BMCM 112 allows bidirectional communication, the process of task definition, settings management, or other application management tasks, may take place either at BMCM 112 or at the parent application. This process of communication may be repeated multiple times.

FIG. 1C presents a second example in which BMCM 112, located on a desktop computer 120, may submit Task 2 (130) and Setting Change 2 (132) through External Server 2 (134) to Parent Application 2 (136). As with Parent Application 1 (128), Parent Application 2 may perform Task 2 according to Setting Change 2 and send data back to BMCM 112. In certain embodiments BMCM 112 may sense server status. For example, if external Server 2 is down, BMCM 112 may sense that Server 2 is unavailable and, therefore, send a request to Server 1 instead. In other embodiments, BMCM 112 may determine the location of the different servers and give priority to servers in closer proximity priority.

FIG. 2 presents an overview of the components of an embodiment of a BMCM and demonstrates how a BMCM may provide bidirectional communication between a user and an external server to enable operations of one or more files, consistent with disclosed embodiments. Disclosed embodiments of a BMCM may expand standard cloud computing services and widget architectures through use of bidirectional multi-function service (BiS) components that exist independently and outside of core client applications, such as document processing programs. In disclosed embodiments, bidirectional information/data exchanges between the BMCM and BiS components may occur through a Communication Layer (CL). The Communication Layer enables exchanges between BMCM components and outside programs, applications, and/or components. This communication process is made up of a series of transactions between the BiS and the BMCM enabled by a transaction-level contract service agreement (CSA). The CSA is the communication standard that establishes measures by which external components, programs, or applications using the BMCM can access BiS components. Bidirectional exchanges occur at this layer and the CSA may control access to BiS components through authentication of a user's account.

In this particular embodiment, BMCM 112 contains two potential actions for an application: change settings (204) and upload a file (206). For example, application 202 may represent a request to remove metadata from a file, a request to compare two documents, a request to turn a document into a PDF document, a request to translate a document, or a request to add a signature to a document. Application 202 may also initiate a request representing a change to the settings applied to one of these other requests. A file may be the object of the request and be uploaded when a user selects the file using button 206. Some requests, such as a document comparison, may require two or more uploaded files. In some embodiments, selection of action 204, action 206, or both may submit the action with any associated files to BMCM User Interactivity Element 208, which may be a component of BMCM 122. Element 208 may format the submitted action into a request format that can be recognized by an external server. The request may be either a request for setting changes, a request to perform an operation on one or more files that have been uploaded, or both.

After formatting the request, element 208 may send the request to the external server via an Internet connection through Transaction-level Contract Service Agreement (CSA) 210. CSA 210 is a protocol by which disclosed embodiments may authorize a request and communicate with and pass on requests to the external server. Authorization may be accomplished through use of a user account having a login and password. In certain embodiments, CSA 210 resides on the user's computing system as part of BMCM 112. In such embodiments, CSA 210 may connect to authorization databases on a server to obtain an authorization code. CSA 210 may add the authorization code to the request, thus authenticating the request. CSA 210 may then use communication layer 218 to communicate the request to Independent Bidirectional Service (BiS) component 212. In other embodiments, CSA 210 may reside on an external server in communication with BiS 212. In such embodiments, element 208 may incorporate in the request user data needed to authenticate the request and may use communication layer 220 to send the request, including the user data, to CSA 210. After receiving the request from BMCM 112, CSA 210 may use the user data to authenticate the request before forwarding the request to BiS 212.

Communications between BMCM 112 and BiS component 212 may be based on industry standard XML definitions. In certain embodiments where CSA 210 resides on the user's computer system, this communication may occur through communication layer 218 using standard HTTP transport protocol using Representational State Transfer (REST) and/or Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP) methods (protocols for Accessing Remote Objects), in which each unique transaction represents either a request or a response. The disclosed embodiments may use both push and pull based communication. In certain embodiments the REST and/or SOAP communications may be encrypted for security purposes. In other embodiments where CSA 210 resides on a server, the communication between BMCM 112 and BiS component 212 may occur in the same way through communication layer 220.

As discussed in more detail below with regard to FIG. 3, if BMCM 112 does not detect a connection to the Internet it may store the request until BMCM 112 is connected to the Internet. When connected to the Internet, BMCM 112 may use CSA 210 to integrate and communicate user requests in real time with an external server housing BiS component 212 server. In this manner, the system may provide full application interactivity to the user outside of existing standards for cloud computing architectures.

Once CSA 210 authenticates a request, CSA 210 may submit the request to Independent Bidirectional Service (BiS) component 212. BiS component 212 acts as the request processing center located at an external server. BiS component 212 may include one or more components that process requests received from CSA 210. Each component, such as component 214 may have the ability to process several different requests from several different BMCMs. Alternatively, component 214 may only process one kind of request from various BMCMs, such as a request for removing metadata, and component 216 may only process a different kind of request, such as a request to compare two documents, from the various BMCMs. In disclosed embodiments, BiS component 212 may submit a response back to CSA 210, which in turn may pass the response to BMCM User Interactivity Element 208. Responses may include a file cleansed of metadata, a marked-up document showing changes between two uploaded documents, or confirmation of a change in settings. Once a response is received at BMCM 112, a user may open, access and otherwise manipulate the file or setting sent as the response. In some embodiments BMCM 112 may allow a user to save a response directly into a document management system. A document management system is used to track and store electronic files and metadata associated with the files.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of an exemplary process by which bidirectional communication occurs between a local computing device and cloud computing software programs via the BMCM 112 interface. In Step 302, the user uploads a file into BMCM 112. Such an action can be accomplished in multiple ways, such as dragging a file into BMCM 112 or selecting a browse button in the BMCM 112 user interface and navigating to the location of a file in a local or network location. In Step 304, BMCM 112 may receive the parameters by which the file (or files) will be processed. An example of a parameter definition may include a request for metadata removal and a definition of the types of metadata to remove. Alternatively, a parameter definition may include a request to compare two documents and a definition of how the inserted and deleted text should appear, such as red inserted text and blue-strikethrough deleted text.

In Step 306, BMCM 112 may check to see if the computer is connected to the Internet. If so, the parameters and any uploaded files may be transmitted to the external server location via the communication layer, as shown in Step 314. The external server may then process the file, based on the user-defined parameters at Step 316. At Step 318, the external server may return files to BMCM 112 and, at Step 320, the user may open or otherwise access the file from BMCM 112. In certain embodiments the user may save the file to a document management system. In Step 322, BMCM 112 may receive input that redefines the parameters by which the file is processed and/or may receive input that redefines the task for processing. For example, a user may wish to change the appearance of inserted text, or may wish to perform metadata removal on the resulting document. If so, in Step 322, a request may be resubmitted to the external server and the process continues at step 306.

If, at Step 306, BMCM 112 establishes that the user's computing device is not connected to the Internet, BMCM 112 may first determine, at Step 308, whether the proposed action can be processed without Internet access. If it cannot be processed, the BMCM may store the file and the defined parameters at Step 310 until the computer is again connected to the Internet, at which time the process may restart at Step 314. If the action may be processed without Internet access, at Step 312, BMCM 112 processes the files. The user may then open or otherwise access the file at Step 320.

FIG. 4 is an exemplary interface 400 for a bidirectional multi-functional communication module, consistent with disclosed embodiments. BMCM 112 may use an interface, such as interface 400, to receive requests from a user. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, a user may select from several applications 202 offering operations to perform on electronic files, such as comparing the files, cleaning metadata from the files, converting the files, or extracting information from the files. Once an application is chosen, a user may use interface 400 to select the files on which an operation is to be performed. A user may also use interface 400 to determine how to receive the result of the operation. For example, a user may receive the result of the operation via a download link, via e-mail, or from the interface itself. Setting preferences may also be available to a user via interface 400. For example, if a user chooses a compare operation, the user may wish to have inserted text shown in green and deleted text shown in purple. BMCM 112 may receive the data representing these user selections through interface 400 and communicate them to BiS component 212.

The above-described devices and subsystems of disclosed embodiments can include, for example, any suitable servers, workstations, PCs, laptop computers, PDAs, Internet appliances, handheld devices, cellular telephones, wireless devices, or other devices capable of performing the processes of the exemplary embodiments.

All or a portion of the devices and subsystems of the exemplary embodiments may be implemented using one or more general purpose computer systems, microprocessors, digital signal processors, micro-controllers, and the like, programmed according to the teachings of exemplary embodiments, as will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the computer and software arts. To implement such an embodiment as well as other embodiments, a single computer system may be programmed to perform the special purpose functions of one or more of the devices and subsystems of the disclosed embodiments. On the other hand, two or more programmed computer systems or devices may be substituted for any one of the devices and subsystems of the exemplary embodiments. Accordingly, principles and advantages of distributed processing, such as redundancy, replication, and the like, increase the robustness and performance of the devices and subsystems of the exemplary embodiments.

The devices and subsystems of the exemplary embodiments can communicate with each other using any suitable protocol and can be implemented using one or more programmed computer systems or devices. One or more communication mechanisms may be used with disclosed embodiments, including, but not limited to, Internet access, telecommunications in any suitable form (e.g., voice, modem, and the like), and wireless communications media, and the like. For example, employed communications networks or links can include one or more wireless communications networks, cellular communications networks, 3G communications networks, Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTNs), Packet Data Networks (PDNs), the Internet, intranets, or a combination thereof.

Appropriate software may be prepared by programmers of ordinary skill based on the teachings of the exemplary embodiments. Further, the devices and subsystems of the exemplary embodiments can be implemented on the World Wide Web. In addition, the devices and subsystems of exemplary embodiments may be implemented by the preparation of application-specific integrated circuits or by interconnecting an appropriate network of conventional component circuits, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the electrical art. Thus, the exemplary embodiments are not limited to any specific combination of hardware circuitry and/or software.

Stored on any one or on a combination of solid, tangible computer readable media, disclosed embodiments may include instructions programmed according to the disclosed teachings for controlling the devices and subsystems of embodiments, for driving the devices and subsystems of embodiments, and for enabling the devices and subsystems of embodiments to interact with a user. Such software may include, but is not limited to, device drivers, firmware, operating systems, development tools, applications software, and the like. Software implementing exemplary embodiments may include any suitable interpretable or executable code mechanism, including but not limited to scripts, interpretable programs, dynamic link libraries (DLLs), Java classes and applets, complete executable programs, and Common Object Request Broker Architecture (CORBA) objects implemented using a variety of programming languages, such as Java, C, C++, JavaScript, or any other now known or later created programming language. Moreover, parts of the processing of the exemplary embodiments can be distributed for better performance, reliability, and cost. The described implementation includes software, but the disclosed embodiments may be implemented as a combination of hardware and software.

In addition to the stored instructions programmed according to the disclosed teachings devices and systems of disclosed embodiments may include computer readable media for storing information relating to various processes described herein using data structures, tables, records, and/or other data described herein. Computer readable media can include any suitable medium that participates in providing instructions to a processor for execution. Such a medium may take many forms, including but not limited to, non-volatile media, volatile media, transmission media, and the like. Non-volatile media can include, for example, hard disks, optical or magnetic disks, magneto-optical disks, floppy disks, CD-ROM and the like. Volatile media can include dynamic memories, and the like. Transmission media can include coaxial cables, copper wire, fiber optics, and the like. Common forms of computer-readable media can include, for example, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, any other suitable magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, CDRW, DVD, SD cards, any other suitable optical medium, punch cards, paper tape, optical mark sheets, any other suitable physical medium with patterns of holes or other optically recognizable indicia, a RAM, a PROM, an EPROM, a FLASH-EPROM, any other suitable memory chip or cartridge, or any other suitable medium from which a computer can read.

One or more databases of the devices and subsystems of the disclosed embodiments may store the information used to implement the disclosed embodiments. The databases may be organized using data structures (e.g., records, tables, arrays, fields, graphs, trees, lists, and the like) included in one or more memories or storage devices listed herein. The processes described with respect to disclosed embodiments may include appropriate data structures for storing data collected and/or generated by the processes of the devices and subsystems of the disclosed embodiments in one or more databases thereof.

The foregoing descriptions have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not exhaustive and do not limit the disclosed embodiments to the precise form disclosed. Modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practicing the disclosed embodiments. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims. 

1. A computer-implemented method for performing an operation on a file using a mini-application installed on a computing device in communication with an external server, comprising: receiving a request at the computing device to perform an operation on a first file; formatting the request so that the request can be interpreted by the external server; sending the request and the first file to the external server, such that the external server performs the operation on the first file; and receiving a response comprising a second file from the external server that is based on the external server performing the operation on the first file.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the operation is cleaning metadata from the first file.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the operation is converting the first file from a first document type to a second document type.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the second document type is a PDF document type.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first file is a PDF document and the operation is converting the first file to a word processing document or a spreadsheet.
 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining that a connection between the computing device and the external server does not exist; and storing the request and the first file until a connection between the computing device and the external server is established.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the request further comprises a preference that is used by the external server to perform the operation.
 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising obtaining authentication for the request and adding to the request an indication that the request has been authenticated.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the response further comprises automatically saving the second file into a document management system.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the first file is received from a document management system.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the response further comprises sending the second file to a user.
 12. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving a second request to perform a second operation on the second file; formatting the second request so that the second request can be interpreted by the external server; sending the second request and the second file to the external server, such that the external server performs the second operation on the second file; and receiving a response comprising a third file from the external server that is based on the external server performing the operation on the second file.
 13. The method of claim 1, wherein the request further comprises information used to authenticate the request.
 14. A system for performing an operation on a file, comprising: a computing device comprising at least one processor; and a mini-application installed on the computing device, the processor configured to execute the mini-application to perform functions comprising: receiving a first request to perform an operation on a file, providing a second request comprising the first request and the file, to an external server that executes an application that, in response to the second request, performs the operation on the file and generates a response as a result of the performed operation, and receiving the response from the external server.
 15. The system of claim 14, further comprising the function of sending the response to a user.
 16. The system of claim 14, further comprising the function of displaying the response.
 17. The system of claim 14, further comprising the functions of: determining that a connection with the external server does not exist; and storing the second request until determining that a connection with the external server exists.
 18. The system of claim 14, further comprising the function of receiving a preference and wherein the second request includes the preference, which the application executed by the external server uses to perform the operation.
 19. The system of claim 14, further comprising the operation of: obtaining authentication for the request and adding to the request an indication that the request has been authenticated.
 20. The system of claim 14, further comprising the function of saving the response into a document management system. 21-38. (canceled) 